Fort Fest preview – Phoenix Calling

With the inaugural Fort Fest looming (September 2nd – 4th in Bedfordshire), we thought it would make sense to track down some of these up-and-coming superstars and let them tell you a little about themselves. Dominic from Phoenix Calling rose to our questioning challenge!

Simple things first – where are you guys from?

From the deepest depths of Cambridgeshire near Huntingdon, between Peterborough and Cambridge.

How did you meet?

We have known each other for a while, as we were all in other bands and when the time was right we joined forces.

How long have you been playing together as a band?

4 years.

Where does the name of the band come from?

We were searching for a name and Martyn our lead guitarist was away in Arizona and called us and said “Phoenix Calling”, so it stuck.

What are your influences – individually or as a band?

We love so many styles and genres of music it wouldn’t do it justice here! Anything that has a beat and some heart and soul!

Describe your music. What makes you unique?

Every song is about something, an experience, a memory or aspiration, so bringing it to life in a way it’s remembered is something special. All of our songs have a hook and a melody that people can hang on to, whistle or wake up humming!

Which is your best bit of merch?

Beachballs!

What’s your live show like – why should the baying hordes troop over to the stage you’re playing on to watch you? What can we expect?

It’s full of energy, fun and surprises. Steve our singer could do anything and generally does. We like everyone to have a good time and join in the madness!

When/how did you find out you’d been selected to play at Fort Fest and what have you heard about it so far?

We were involved from the start when the first few bands were being chosen – our management are closely linked to the organisers so we were thrilled to be on the bill!

Which band (other than you guys obviously) is going to kick up a storm this weekend? Who are your top picks of the weekend?

We are big fans of Young Guns and have supported them a few times so they will go down well. InMe are a big influence and so we are looking forward to seeing them and Lonely The Brave only live down the road from us and we are also big fans, all in all a great line up!

What are you working on at the moment and when/where can we expect to hear from you?

We have a new single coming out in October so a video is being planned, and we’re writing and recording a new album of which 6 tracks have been recorded and it’s sounding great, due for release in early 2017.

What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen fans do at a gig?

We had a fan make a hat and T shirt with a phoenix on. They threw it on stage, we all signed it and gave her it back at the end of the show.

What advice would you give to a young band just starting out today?

It’s hard work, early mornings, late nights, cold and wet but so worth it just to get one person say they like a song, never give up!

If you could be part of any 3-band line-up who else would you have on the bill? One band above you and one below – a chance to plug a smaller, unsigned act!

We would have Fires That Divide open the show, a band we have played with a few times who supported us across the UK and are awesome! The headliner would be Feeder – just because!

What stage / time are you playing at Fort Fest (if you have your slot yet!)?